Moment thief filled up WHEELIE BIN with £143 worth of fuel in front of shocked onlookers at busy petrol station forecourt

 This is the shocking moment a brazen thief filled up a wheelie bin with fuel at a petrol station forecourt - as prices continue to soar.

Footage shows a hooded man in a tracksuit stroll up to pumps at the Co-op station in Washington, Tyne and Wear with a council recycling bin.

He then fills the bin with £143 worth of unleaded before casually walking off in front of shocked onlookers.

It is believed the thief, said to be working with an accomplice, returned later on and repeated the crime.

Stunning footage shows a hooded man in a tracksuit stroll up to pumps at the Co-op petrol station in Washington, Tyne and Wear and start pouring fuel into a council recycling bin

The man however did not hide the number 10 written on the side of the bin which could indicate his house number.

The theft comes as petrol and diesel prices have soared across the country amid sanctions on Russian energy following the country's invasion of Ukraine.

Oil companies have also pledged not to buy from Russia.

At the time of the theft in February, the AA reported unleaded prices in the North East were averaging 146.9/litre. Today the Co-op station told MailOnline prices had rocketed to 163.9p/litre

It is believed the thief, said to be working with an accomplice, returned later on and repeated the crime

A Northumbria Police spokesman said: 'On February 11, we were made aware of two alleged thefts from a petrol station in the Parsons Road area of Washington' (pictured)

Speaking about the petrol station theft, a neighbour told The Sun: 'I couldn't believe it. Who uses a wheelie bin to steal petrol? It's absolute madness.

'He must be a local lad as he's clearly just dragged the bin from his house. 

'I live opposite and I know there's been shoplifting incidents from that branch but nothing like this. I assume with the prices shooting up it's only going to get worse.'

A Northumbria Police spokesman said: 'On February 11, we were made aware of two alleged thefts from a petrol station in the Parsons Road area of Washington.

Petrol prices are going up to record levels and will continue to rise in the coming week amid turmoil in Ukraine

Hauliers are warning they will be forced to increase charges to meet rising fuel bills, which will lead to a knock-on effect for consumers

'It was reported that on both occasions, individuals entered the forecourt and stole quantities of fuel using a wheelie bin.

'An investigation has been launched into both incidents.'

Global oil prices are at the highest level for 14 years today - spiking to $140 per barrel on some markets - as the West considers banning imports of Russian oil that gives the pariah state $100billion-a-month to help fund his military.

And the price at the pumps could hit a wallet-hammering 175p next week as average petrol prices on UK forecourts exceeded 190p in places this week. 

Hauliers are warning they will be forced to increase charges to meet rising fuel bills, which will lead to a knock-on effect for consumers.

Rod McKenzie, managing director at trade body the Road Haulage Association, described the spike in the cost of diesel as 'dramatic'.

He said: 'If hauliers have to pay more for their fuel, they inevitably have to charge customers more. I suspect this will mean prices going up on everything that is delivered by a truck, which is frankly 97% of everything that we get in Britain.'

Campaigners including the AA are calling on Chancellor Rishi Sunak to cut VAT on fuel for households already being hammered by the cost of living crisis. Experts said without help, it will be a 'disaster' for the most disadvantaged families.